Figure 4

Effects of inhibiting c-kit and MC degranulation on pulmonary vascular remodeling of MCT-rats. Rats were treated with selective c-kit inhibitor (PLX), MC stabilizer (Cromolyn) or placebo from day 1 to 21 after MCT-injection. The rats in healthy group received saline injection instead of MCT. Double immunostaining for von Willebrand factor and α-smooth muscle actin, and elastica staining were performed on the lung tissues followed by vascular morphometry. (A) Representative photomicrographs of elastica-stained lung tissues (healthy- a, placebo- b, PLX- c and Cromolyn- d) are shown. (B) Proportion of non- (N), partially (P) or fully (F) muscularized pulmonary arteries and their (C) medial wall thicknesses (%) are given. Each bar represents Mean ± SEM (n = 8-10). *p < 0.05 versus healthy; ^†p < 0.05 versus MCT-placebo. Scale bar = 20 μm.